Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to consult with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) when a court finds an individual with a developmental disability abused or neglected a child. It mandates DCPP to work with DDD to create a tailored services plan for that individual, considering their specific disability. The key mechanism ensures therapeutic services (like counseling or support programs) are designed around the person's disability needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. This directly affects individuals with developmental disabilities who are found to have abused or neglected a child and are eligible for DDD services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an internet-based tracking system for rape kits (also called sexual assault forensic evidence kits). The system will allow victims, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and labs to monitor a kit's journey from collection at a medical facility through testing and final disposal. It mandates the Attorney General to issue guidelines for this tracking system, ensuring transparency in the chain of custody. The law, which became effective in January 2025, directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and forensic labs handling these kits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and Economic Development Authority (EDA) to give priority consideration to municipalities that meet their affordable housing requirements when awarding competitive state grants and financial assistance. Specifically, it applies to programs like the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program, but excludes grants intended to help municipalities fulfill their housing obligations. Municipalities are deemed compliant if they meet their fair share housing requirements under state law, with compliance determined by the DCA using factors like prior housing fulfillment rates and settlement agreements during the first five years of a new housing obligation cycle. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryMoose's Law (S 3746) prohibits individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning animals or working/volunteering at animal-related businesses for a court-specified period. The bill requires courts to order forfeiture of animals owned by offenders (with exceptions for co-owners), and to prohibit offenders from owning animals for at least two years following conviction or release from incarceration. It also establishes a presumption against pretrial intervention for defendants charged with animal cruelty offenses. The law defines "animal-related enterprises" broadly to include pet shops, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, and animal training facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to inspect reports of mold infestation in health care facilities. Within six months of the law taking effect, the DOH must establish inspection procedures and create guidelines for preventing or removing mold in these facilities. The bill defines mold to include common types found in water-damaged building materials, such as Aspergillus and Stachybotrys Chartarum, and applies to health care facilities under the DOH's jurisdiction per Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicaid to cover substance use disorder treatment services provided by community-based organizations that are licensed by the Department of Health. It establishes standards for these organizations' licensure and creates a training program to help them meet requirements. The bill also allows opioid treatment programs to create medication units (which can be mobile) to provide medication-assisted treatment like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Additionally, it prohibits denying treatment based on a patient's refusal of counseling and limits required drug screenings to eight per year, aiming to increase access to substance use disorder treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3998) standardizes benefits for New Jersey teachers' pension members by removing tiered eligibility. It requires all current non-retired members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to receive the same benefits as those enrolled before July 1, 2007, effectively moving everyone to "Tier 1" benefits. Public employees meeting salary minimums but not hour requirements will be enrolled in TPAF, and current Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) members can transfer service credit to TPAF (without transferring contributions) to qualify for retirement benefits. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation to develop strategies for eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The 13-member commission - including agency heads from transportation, public safety, health, and environmental departments - will create a statewide action plan, promote data transparency through a public safety portal, and advise state and local governments on equitable road safety improvements. It requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on progress, including traffic crash data and demographic information. The commission focuses on "safe system approach" strategies like roadway design, speed management, and expanding accessible transportation options for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to distribute the National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey to all eligible service providers for people with developmental disabilities. Service providers who fail to complete the survey would face an annual $5,000 fine, collected through a summary court proceeding. The mandate applies whenever the DDD participates in this specific workforce survey or a similar survey designated by the division. The law aims to gather standardized workforce data from providers without altering existing service requirements.